Kabaka’s Lake
Kabaka’s lake is Africa’s dug out lake and the largest man-made lake in Uganda. Kabaka’s lake is located about 5 kilometres from Kampala capital city in Ndeeba area, between the Ring Road and Nabunya Road. Kabaka’s Lake was dug out in 1880 by the Buganda people under the orders of their King, Kabaka Mwanga, both men and women of Buganda Kingdom that is all the 52 clans of Buganda, by then Buganda kingdom had about 2 million people, these were all responsible in the dig out of the lake. This lake was dug out as an “escape corridor” for Kabaka Mwanga during the British armed conflicts to connect to Lake Victoria. However he also had other interest for the lake such as the lake would act as a channel to Lake Victoria where he can travel by his boat and enjoy fishing and swimming on the lake. It is also said that the King wanted an easy access to his other built palace in Mulungu Hill which is close to Lake Victoria built by his father Kabaka Mutesa before his death.
The history behind the construction of the Kabaka’s lake is exceptionally interesting and worthwhile to hear. Visit the Kabaka’s lake can be an activity to do while on a Uganda safaris tours during a Kampala city tour. With the help of a local knowledge guide, you will enjoy the interesting history of the lake, you will come to know that in the beginning of the dig out, the royal members such as the parish chiefs, the prince and princess had refused to take part in the digging of the lake however they were reported the Kabaka, Mwanga who decided to take up the tusk by himself and joined other people who had obeyed to dig. By doing this the parish chiefs, princess and princes got ashamed and they as well joined in the digging along with the kabaka. Kabaka Mwanga II was known to be a king with a lot of pride, aggressiveness, notorious and a Ruthless holocaust during his reign. Due to his character of aggressiveness and ambitious plans towards the formation of the Kabaka’s lake, the construction of the lake was abruptly interrupted and stopped before it could connect to Munyonyi. The failure to complete the lake was due to the religious conflicts that arose in the Buganda Kingdom that is the killing of the young converted Christians. Kabaka Mwanga demanded that his is the only person to be respected and worshiped by his people; however, some of the young men in Buganda followed Christianity which annoyed the King who eventually killed them by burning them to death. Till today, Uganda celebrates the young martyrs on the 3rd who dead for Christianity.
The Kabaka’s lake covers an area of about 2 square kilometres with a depth of approximately 200 feet. The Kabaka’s is among the top attraction places to visit on your Kampala city tour thus the Uganda Safaris Tours and it gives a significant conservation site Jewel to the Buganda kingdom. In the Annual Buganda tourism Expo which takes place around August, the Kabaka of Buganda takes courtesy with his subjects to officiate the water sports on the lake. The Kabaka is accompanied by his soldiers known as Abambnowa dressed smartly in their traditional attires well-armed with shields and the spears together with the ministers as well as dignitaries and a security convey.
The kabaka’s Lake has no inlet River tributaries but instead it is supplied by underground springs whether in dry or rainy seasons and running water during the rainy seasons. The water Levels have always been consistent throughout the year. Today the lake has improved for tourism with accommodations around the lake to encourage travellers’ to visit the lake.
Kabaka’s lake is also one of the places the bird watching paradise with numerous bird species such as the little egrets. The kabaka’s lake has got interesting picturesque views backed with awesome surrounding environment. A visit to the kabaka’s lake will offer you a chance to explore Kabaka’s palace called the Mengo Palace which is just adjacent to the lake. You will observe people who occasionally cross the lake on traditional dugout canoes. There is an island on the lake where the King goes for rituals. The Kabaka’s lake has also become a relaxing place for most local people who sit there listening to sounds of birds. One must consider visiting the Kabaka’s lake for a richer history of the Buganda Kingdom during a Kampala city tour. The whole experience of the lake may take less than an hour, it can be an en-route visit on your Uganda Safari tour to Mengo Palace.
